After spending several months i Blue, Cudius had mao oversee a signifit shift in the region. With Marines deploying numerous iors and CP-X dug sweeps across every branch base i Blue, the overall atmosphere within the Marines had shifted toward a sense of justid discipline.

  By now, the dar had reached Sea Circle Year 1509, and Cudius decided it was time to return to the first half of the Grand Line.

  Over the past few months, the ongoing development of the Seven Warlords of the Sea program had caused noticeable ripples in the world of piracy, just as Cudius had anticipated.

  Dividing pirate fas into opposing camps proved effective, creating a new dynamic across the seas. In the New World, it seemed as though the formation of the Seven Warlords had acted as a catalyst. Big Mom's crew and Kaido's Beasts Pirates were gradually following in Whitebeard's footsteps, each paving their own path toward being a "Pirate Emperor."

  Meanwhile, Whitebeard's crew, despite losing fa Fish-Man Isnd, solidified their position as the first true Pirate Emperor crew.

  This marked the beginning of the Four Emperors era, with three of the groups already establishing themselves as dominant forces. However, the situation with Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates uzzling. Uhe other would-be Emperors, Shanks's crew still behaved more like a low-profile band of nobodies, spending most of their time i Blue, far from the a.

  "If not for the occasional reports of their activity in the New World, I'd think Shanks and his crew were pnning to stay i Blue forever," Cudius muttered to himself.

  ---

  "The People's Hero of Abasta—Crocodile," Cudius read aloud, holding a neer and ughing. "Hahaha, this guy really pulled it off. He's actually bee a national hero in Abasta."

  Sitting fortably on Cudius's p, Stussy peeled a banana and smiled. "Crocodile was the first Seven Warlord you recruited. The image he's built in Abasta is making people rethink the value of the Seven Warlords program. I'd say your strategy is w."

  "Bartholomew Kuma isn't moving too slowly, either," Cudius replied. "I heard he's already reached an agreement with the Marines. But I've made it clear to Sengoku that both Kuma and Mihawk are true 'indepe' Warlords not directly tied to me. If anything goes wrong with them iure, it's not my responsibility."

  Stussy chuckled and added, "Kuma's reputation isn't bad, but Dofmingo's been making quite the stir with his hunt for a kingdom. Things are getting lively over there." She took a bite of her banana, found it sweet, and offered it to Cudius with a teasing grin.

  Cudius took a bite without hesitation and responded with a smirk. "That's just how pirates operate. It's very fitting for his style. pared to the others, Dofmingo is probably the most typical pirate among the Warlords. After all, he got his position by stealing the Celestial Tribute."

  Following his indu as a Warlord, Dofmingo had wasted no time returning to the New World from North Blue. Within two weeks, he successfully cimed the kingdom of Dressrosa as his own, solidifying his status.

  However, his long-standiation a assion to the Seven Warlords led to rumors of underhaactics. Despite being hailed as a hero by some in Dressrosa, many outsiders derided him as a "mad king" who had seized power through despicable means.

  Not that it mattered to Dofmingo or to Cudius, for that matter. The Wover certainly didn't care either, having disliked Dressrosa's fime.

  As Cudius had predicted, Trafalgar Law had indeed found his way into Dofmingo's crew in North Blue and now served as one of his subordinates. Dofmingo seemed quite fond of Law, mentioning him enthusiastically in a ret versation with Cudius.

  "He's a lot like me when I was younger," Dofmingo had said. "That same crazed look in his eyes, full of destru."

  Cudius hadn't ented much at the time. Dofmingo had been influenced by Cudius and avoided pletely succumbing to the darkness. But Trafalgar Law? With his burning desire for revenge, he seemed hell-bent on tearing the world apart.

  Everyone had their owiny, Cudius thought. Dofmingo's fate had ged after meeting him, while Law's path remained bound to the loss of his savior, Corazon.

  ---

  Cudius swallowed another bite of banana and smiled. "This is pretty good. Let me have another bite."

  Stussy frowned pyfully. "Yhness, this is my banana. Be grateful I let you have two bites. If you want more, peel one yourself!"

  "Stingy," Cudius teased. "Fine, I'll make it up to you tonight by helping you 'peel' your exclusive big banana."

  Stussy flushed, feeling Cudius's hand squeeze her thigh. Just as she was about to retort, the sound of the Den Den Mushi interrupted them.

  Cudius set her aside gently and answered the call, smiling as he spoke. "Sengoku! I hear you're about to get a promotion. gratutions in advance!"

  The rumor that Kong was set to be promoted to ander-in-Chief of the Army had been cirg for some time. Naturally, this meant Sengoku would asd to the position of Marine Fleet Admiral. Although officially unfirmed, the Five Elders themselves had quietly leaked the information to prepare everyone for the uping ges.

  "Heh, don't tease me, Yhness," Sengoku said, though the excitement in his voice was unmistakable.

  "It doesn't sound like a baseless rumor to me. I think it's happening soohan you think," Cudius said with a chuckle.

  After exging a few lighthearted remarks, Sengoku shifted to the main topic. "Yhness, the Marine base on Fish-Man Isnd is fully operational, and CP-X has settled in as well. The preliminary ditions we agreed upon with Fish-Man Isnd have all bee. I've just received word that everything is ready. we begin the Calm Belt experiments?"

  Cudius nodded as he listened, a smile pying on his lips. "Of course. Since everything is in pce, let's proceed with the Calm Belt operations. Stussy, where are we right now?"

  "We're nearing the Isnd of Spring Queens," Stussy replied promptly.

  "Perfect," Cudius said. "I nning to check out that isnd anyway. Once I'm done here, I'll head baariejois. After that, I'll deal with some matters in the Calm Belt."

  "Are you talking about Amazon Lily?" Sengoku asked.

  "Yes, the isnd of the Kuja. Why? Is there a problem?" Cudius inquired.

  "Amazon Lily is teically a pirate nation," Sengoku said gravely.

  Cudius chuckled and replied, "Perhaps. But in my vision, they'll be our allies within the hree to five years. I've already set aside a position in the Seven Warlords of the Sea for them. They be trusted."

  Sengoku paused before responding with a smile. "It sounds like you've got a pn for the Calm Belt."

  "I do," Cudius firmed. "Once I secure things with Amazon Lily, we begiions. Let's stay coordinated."

  "Uood. Marine forces will be ready to ace we receive ynal," Sengoku said.

  ***

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